Tasha Benkhadra

Associate

Tasha is an Associate in the firm’s International Law team. Her practice focuses predominantly on international sanctions.

Tasha has significant experience in all areas of domestic and international sanctions, including advising on steps to pre-empt potential designations, how to comply with the UK’s sanctions regime, licence applications, OFSI reporting, OFSI breach investigations and information requests and delisting challenges both at the ministerial and court review stages. Her practice spans the full range of UK sanctions regimes, with a particular focus on the UK’s Russia Regime.

Prior to joining Carter-Ruck, Tasha worked for a leading criminal defence law firm where, in addition to her sanctions practice, she focused on white collar crime cases concerning allegations of fraud, money laundering, bribery and tax evasion, as well as competition offences.

Tasha is a founding member of the City Sanctions Network and a committee member of the Young Fraud Lawyers Association (YFLA).

Tasha studied law at University College London.

Tasha regularly writes articles on, and comments in publications pertaining to, issues relevant to sanctions and the individuals and businesses impacted by them.

Sanctions Ruling Opens Door For Enforcer To Clear Up Rules – Law360 – discusses the implications of the Vneshprombank v Bedzhamov judgment on “reasonable cause to suspect”
Sanctions: Time for a general licence to cover basic needs | Law Gazette – proposing a new General Licence to permit individuals to pay for their basic needs, including food and shelter
What Russia Case Reveals About UK Sanctions Enforcement – Law360 – discussing the implications of OFSI’s enforcement against Wise Payments
A GBP 250 transaction prompts OFSI’s first use of new powers | Rob Harkavy | CDR Article (cdr-news.com) – commenting on the future of OFSI’s sanctions enforcement and the first use of its full disclosure powers against Wise Payments
No clear path for leniency for U.K. firms navigating Russian sanctions | Premium | Compliance Week – discussing the convoluted nature of the UK’s Russia sanctions regime and the future of sanctions enforcement in the UK
Court of Appeal backs lower court over sanctions | Rob Harkavy | CDR Article (cdr-news.com) – commenting on the failed sanctions appeals of Dalston Projects and Eugene Shvidler.

Advised numerous individuals and corporates designated under the UK sanctions regime on matters including (i) compliance with the UK sanctions regime; (ii) reporting obligations of relevant firms and designated persons; and (iii) drafting and submitting licence applications in time-critical circumstances
Advising non-designated individuals and companies on how to comply with the UK’s sanctions regime including on the implications of association with a designated person
Acted for both individuals and corporates designated by the United Kingdom on their delisting applications, both at the ministerial and court review stages
Acted for Nikita Mazepin on his request to be delisted by the United Kingdom
Acted for Bernie Ecclestone in the criminal proceedings and civil tax investigation which concluded in October 2023
Advising a high-profile individual on a regulator’s politically-sensitive investigation into his conduct
Advised an individual in the banking industry on allegations of acting in concert with several other major banks, including preparation for a compelled interview with the Competition Markets Authority
Advised a senior individual in the telecommunication industry on allegations of anti-competitive behaviour, including preparation for a voluntary interview with the Competition Markets Authority.